The local church board is the last link, or last man, in the chain of leadership in the Advent Movement. If the local elder and the local board fail, the program fails. The General, union, and local conferences may plan well, but if the local church board fails, the entire program falls at their feet.
The importance of the local elder as the ranking officer of the local board can hardly be overemphasized. Inspiration has indicated that there should be the same high qualities of leadership for rulers of tens as for rulers of thousands."Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness ; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens." Ex. 18 :21. And as far as possible the same moral and religious fitness required of the local elder should be expected of all the church officers who make up the personnel of the local church board.
The importance of the local elder's position in the Seventh-day Adventist Church is further emphasized because of the fact that he is virtually the pastor of the congregation in the average church. The average Seventh-day Adventist church today has fifty-seven members. Large churches with the full-time service of a pastor are decidedly in the minority. The district plan of organization is the rule quite generally—an ordained or licensed minister directs the spiritual welfare of two to eight churches. The average number of churches for the district leader is probably three in some conferences and four in others.
When we consider that the minister must care for all the churches under his direction, meeting their normal spiritual needs at all times, and in time of adversity, sickness, and death giving special help ; that in addition to this load he must meet the continuous demand of our great world program, which comes down to us in copious installments, it is at once apparent that the minister must have, if he succeeds, the loyal, active support of consecrated local leadership in every church under his care.
The great evangelist, Paul, who in his ministry managed a very large district, wrote Timothy: "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." I Tim. 5 :17. Apparently the great apostle was anxious that the youthful Timothy properly appreciate the value of the local church leaders. Note, too, that some of the local elders labored "in the word and doctrine," and some did not, even as at the present time.
Ways of Strengthening Church Boards
Enough on the importance of church leaders. Now may I make the following suggestions to our pastors and district leaders with reference to strengthening our local leaders and church boards.
1. Read the Church Manual on qualifications of local officers at least once each year. Even the most experienced would do well to review pages 17-75 of the Church Manual annually, studiously considering the importance of the local officers and the qualities expected of the lay leadership of the churches.
2. Impress upon these leaders the importance of their work by—
a. Often speaking appreciatively of their work in local church board meetings. Read excerpts from the Spirit of prophecy on their work. A sincere word of appreciation publicly expressed from time to time is helpful.
b. Offer a personal word of appreciation occasionally to a leader carrying a heavy or difficult load. Be friendly and sympathetic with your associate leaders in the church. Warm Christian fellowship makes for unity and success.
c. Deliver at least one annual sermon on the privileges and responsibilities of local officers, preferably before the time of election of these officers each year. Give counsel in a general way, presenting guiding principles to be followed in selecting members of the board. There is much counsel in the Spirit of prophecy on the subject of lay leadership that can be helpfully presented to the congregation. Emphasize that each board member who fills his little niche in the great plan of salvation is as important in the sight of God as are those in higher places.
3. Select members of the board with great care. Changes in leadership should be made from time to time for obvious reasons. The following are suggestive qualifications of lay leaders in the local church.
Qualifications of Local Leaders
a. Consecration is vital. If it is a choice between a man who has great talents and great gifts but who lacks consecration and has a general negative outlook concerning the church program, and a man of ordinary talent but who is consecrated and has a positive outlook toward the whole church program, by all means choose the latter.
b. Choose those who believe and practice the third angel's message. "The elders which are among you I exhort, . . . being examples to the flock." I Peter 5:1-3. The Scriptures lay down with care the qualifications of local elders and deacons. It follows that other members of the church board should as far as possible measure up to the same high standards of Christian living and efficient service. Select those who believe and practice all our doctrines, including the Spirit of prophecy.
c. Select those who are apt for their respective responsibilities. Endeavor to get square pegs in square holes and round pegs in round holes. Avoid misfits as far as possible.
d. Choose those who believe in church organization and who believe in unity. This is very important. "It is not a good sign when men refuse to unite with their brethren, and prefer to act alone."—Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 258.
e. Let ministers be good talent scouts. Make a study of church-board personnel. Do not wait until you come up to the time of selecting officers to study the needs of leadership in your churches. As you visit the homes of church members, keep on the lookout for new talent which the Lord can use in His work.
f. Study your problems with your board. Avoid making it merely a clearinghouse for your ideas. Avoid taking the role of a superman. Take your board with you as far as possible on all your projects. Otherwise, when you move on, important enterprises may fall by the way. A board that is really sold on any project is your best assurance of having the church behind your program. For instance, you may not like a scraggy tree in the churchyard, and forthwith order a man to chop it down. Then you learn later on that the eyesore to you was an object of admiration, for certain sentimental reasons, to some of the members. Counsel with your board would have, in all probability, brought you this information. Avoid friction, which slows down the gospel chariot.
g. Meet with the board regularly, at least monthly. Avoid. hit-and-miss board meetings-and long, drawn-out sessions. Plan your board meeting.
h. Let the church board, through individuals or small committees, carry on various responsibilities all too often borne by the already overloaded minister. Avoid being an errand boy. Incidentally, do not make an errand boy of your intern either. Although the minister or the ministerial intern should be willing to do anything there is to be done, he should always bear in mind that his church boards and churches will be stronger and happier if they are made to see wisdom in carrying burdens rightfully theirs.
i. Never fail to have prayer to open board meetings. At regular board meetings a short scripture should be read before prayer, is offered.
j. Support the board's decisions. Your church board is your "conference committee," your counselors on all important matters relating to the welfare of the church.
k. Seek counsel of the conference president in time of emergency, or when dealing with heavy or unusual problems. Even the most experienced minister or conference president will from time to time seek counsel from his higher organization. Always remember the admonition of the Word that in the multitude of counselors there is safety. (Prov. 11:14.)
l. To our conference leaders we would suggest as a means to the end of building stronger church boards that the leading member or members (the local elders) of the church boards be called to a conference-wide lay council annually. We have found as a denomination that it is absolutely essential to a successful ministry and departmental leadership to call frequent meetings for consecration, counsel, co-operation, inspiration, organization, and education.
Our great success will be attained when we give proper recognition and training to the final link in the chain of leadership. May this latter suggestion not be one of the keys to the solution of our problem of world evangelism?
Another source of inspiration and guidance for local elders who are called on to conduct the Sabbath services is THE MINISTRY magazine. Here may be found valuable help in the way of sermon outlines and illustrations, and the wisdom and counsel of our leaders.
Ministers and church officers are bound together in the field of leadership in this great closing work. "The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church-membership rally to the work, and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers."—/bid., p. 117. Let us as major leaders of the flock properly educate our local church officers and seek to build them into stronger church boards. They will then intelligently and enthusiastically join the ministry in leading the rank and file of our people into the final triumph of the third angel's message.
